The Dust-Covered Empty Seat

Lydia has a habit: whenever she eats, watches a movie, or rides in a cab, she saves the empty seat beside her, certain that Theo Anderson will one day appear in her city to surprise her. Three years of long distance pass, and he never visits once. She plans their wedding alone and falls ill with a high fever; his reply tells her to call a delivery service. Her best friend Eleanor Reid brings her water and a pill, then falls ill herself two weeks later. A photo shows a man's hand holding a spoon, wearing the watch Lydia saved six months to buy. Standing outside Eleanor's apartment with a pack of ibuprofen, Lydia hears Theo say he has requested a transfer to South City for Eleanor's sake. He serves the chicken noodle soup she taught him, and at his grandmother's birthday dinner, the family heirloom bangle goes to Eleanor. Lydia packs his belongings and lets the veil order go.